Every year, the summer season always defines the best movies, songs and fashion trends for each trip around the sun. With the school year coming to a close and bluer skies on the horizon, it’s time to look forward and begin thinking about the next big hits. Today, the Life section will be listing some of their most highly anticipated movies for the summer of 2026.
Samantha Brody, she/her/hers, Life Editor
For anyone who knows me personally, this should be an easy call to make. I’ve got a strong love for superheroes in my heart, so “Supergirl” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” are at the top of my list for movies I’ll be sat for this summer. I’m expecting “Supergirl” to knock it out of the park, and although I’m a little worried for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker given the MCU’s recent history, this one looks to change the tide.
And honestly, I think I might have to check out “Backrooms” when it hits the big screen. The movie is based on a concept made by amateur filmmaker Kane Parsons when he was a teenager, and I think the film might end up being a fun ride. Mark Fischbach, also known as Markiplier, and his movie “Iron Lung” already proved the value of bringing stories from internet creators into theaters, so maybe Parsons can stick the landing on this one.
I’m also hoping “Disclosure Day” lives up to the Steven Spielberg name. I’m a sucker for weird, offbeat original sci-fi concepts, so this one looks to be up my alley. Not much of the plot is known yet, but it seems to involve characters trying to expose governmental lies to the public. As a journalist, that will always pique my interest.
Maleena Muzio, she/her/hers, Associate Life Editor, maleena.muzio@uconn.edu
I am not the biggest superhero movie fan, so picking a summer release that I am very hype for was a little challenging. However, I am particularly thrilled about a film that is set to release in early to mid-September (yes, that is still technically summer): “Practical Magic 2.”
The original 1998 cult classic film starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters — witches who experience sudden and untimely deaths of those they love most. Based on the teaser trailer, it looks as though the sequel will follow the Owens sisters as they navigate the modern world, and potentially the lives of younger Owens girls as well. I got a glimpse of actress Joey King in the trailer, which makes me a little concerned for the acting quality of the film, but I will be watching, nonetheless.
The original also features music by witchy rock icon Stevie Nicks, and this week, Lana Del Rey reposted a video of Bullock promoting the new film to Del Rey’s cover of “The Season of the Witch.” Nicks and Del Rey are my all-time favorite artists, so to say I am excited about a possible Del Rey soundtrack for “Practical Magic 2” is a huge understatement.
Ayyan Tamjeed, he/him/his, Staff Writer
As someone who’s a part of the three movies a year crowd — I’m broke, okay — there are three I’m looking forward to this summer. Having watched “Superman” last semester in the Student Union, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for “Supergirl,” the second edition in James Gunn’s DC Universe.
Another movie I can’t wait to watch in theaters is the new Spider-Man. While I am a bit disappointed Tom Holland is returning to the Spider-Man well after recent box office failures, the fact the movie poster is just his face and Zendaya in his reflection has piqued my interest. The rumors that this is a return to a Spider-Man more in-line with the comics also makes me wonder how this edition of Spider-Man turns out. Just don’t try to write out the events of “No Way Home” and make everything return to a status quo, that’s too cheap.
The final movie that I really want to watch in theaters is probably “Disclosure Day,” Steven Spielberg’s first film in four years. Those foreboding mouth clicks have been stuck in my head ever since I saw the trailer. I’malso excited to see Josh O’Connor as the leading man in his first blockbuster, he’s going to be amazing.
Logan De la Rosa, he/him/his, Campus Correspondent
For summer 2026 releases, the one I’m most excited to see is “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Thus far Marvel’s done a pretty great job at keeping its Spider-Man movies consistent in quality following “Endgame,” especially when you compare them to some of its other heroes’ recent outings — looking at you, “Thor: Love & Thunder” and “Captain America: Brave New World.”
I’m interested to see how these movies are going to follow up on the spectacular “No Way Home” without feeling like it’s taking away from the movie’s ending.
I’m also interested in how the film is going to tackle its pretty stacked cast of superheroes and villains, featuring the likes of the Punisher, Bruce Banner, Scorpion, Tombstone and the Hand in addition to the wallcrawler himself. Beyond that, the legendary Keith David — most known for his voicework in animated projects — is apparently also in the film playing an unnamed role, potentially the as-of-yet-unrevealed big bad of the feature.
Given the Spider-Man films’ not so great track record of handling movies with multiple antagonists, I’m eager to see how the film might pull it off. However, given Spidey’s current MCU track record, my bets are that “Brand New Day” will stick the landing.